RealGM

In my previous "contender" post I put forth the idea of trading for CP3, but with Hornets management now declaring their devotion to Paul, I think these moves are probably more realistic...

Trade no.1 (between Atlanta, Phoenix, & New Orleans)

Hawks get:
Steve Nash
Grant Hill
Emeka Okafor

Suns get:
Josh Smith
Darren Collison
Mo Evans

Hornets get:
Jamal Crawford
Goran Dragic


WHY IT COULD WORK FOR THE HAWKS:
Now that they have JJ locked up for the next 6 years, they need to make moves that will put them in contention. Acquiring a star PG like Nash makes sense. He makes everyone around him better and he has experience playing with JJ. The Hawks also get a legit center in Okafor which would allow them to move Horford to the 4 spot. Plus, they pick up a savvy vet in Hill to fill out the starting 5.

WHY IT COULD WORK FOR THE SUNS:
If they lose Amar'e to the Knicks, it may time to part ways with Nash while his value is high and rebuild. This trades makes them much younger and more athletic. Josh Smith is one of the most dynamic forwards in the game. He would be a fine replacement for Amar'e as the Suns' show-stopping dunker. They also get a promising young PG in Collison. He showed flashes of brilliance while Paul was out and could turn into a stud if given a larger role on offense.
SUNS LINE-UP:
PG-Collison/Barbosa
SG-Richardson/Dudley
SF-Clark/Evans
PF-Smoove/Warrick/Lawal
C- Frye/Lopez

WHY IT COULD WORK FOR THE HORNETS:
They save a TON of money by off-loading Okafor's contract. Yes, it costs them Collison, but they appear to be committed to Paul so dealing away Collison isn't a huge loss. They could fill the hole at C with someone more affordable like a Kwame Brown, Fabricio Oberto, or Johan Petro.
HORNETS LINE-UP:
PG-Paul/Dragic
SG-Crawford/Thornton
SF-Stojackavic/Posey
PF-West/Wright
C-Free Agent (Kwame Brown)/Free Agent (Johan Petro)

Trade no.2 (between Atlanta & Orlando)

Hawks get:
Brandon Bass
2011 2nd round pick

Magic get:
Mike Bibby

WHY IT COULD WORK FOR THE HAWKS:
Bass gives the Hawks some more depth and energy off the bench. He would be a great backup 4 for Horford.

WHY IT COULD WORK FOR THE MAGIC:
They need a consistent backup PG and Bibby can be that guy at this point in his career. Plus, they don't really need Bass with Gortat locked up and Ryan Andersen looking for PT.


FREE AGENCY:
Sign Tony Allen - 2 years/5 million (using a portion of the mid-level)
why?
Allen is a good energy guy off the bench who can score.

Sign Ian Mahinmi - 1 year/league minimum
why?
More depth in the middle.


NEW HAWKS ROSTER:

PG-Steve Nash/Jeff Teague
SG-Joe Johnson/Tony Allen/Jordan Crawford
SF-Grant Hill/Marvin Williams
PF-Al Horford/Brandon Bass
C-Emeka Okafor/Zaza Pachulia/Ian Mahinmi

Can't see this... Reasons:
1) Hill has mulled retirement quite a few times in the past few seasons - even saying that he would instead of leaving PHO. We might be able to convince him to remain a year or 2 w/ Nash & JJ, but it just as likely he'd hang 'em up leaving us a little thin @ SF.
2) I think we're committed to giving Teague a few minutes, Nash destroys that. I think we'd like an upgrade on Bibby, but I don't think we're looking for anything more than 24 min/night guy.
3) if we trade Smoove and acquire Okafor, then we'd want a true C that neither Okafor nor Horford really gives us. I don't think that Bass gives us that either.

are you crazy? Orlando wouldnt even answer the phone with that trade. We just watched Nelson destroy Bibby in the playoffs, and you think we want him with his 2 yrs /$16 mil left to be paid? Bass isnt owed that over 3 years. We just played with J-Will for less than 1 mil, we arent paying $8 mil for a backup PG. we have enough bad contracts. And you want us to throw in a pick with it also?

Also, Allen will be making more than $2.5 mil a year. he will probably get a 3 yr/$14 mil ish type contract thrown at him.